Doctors are sounding an alarm over a national phenomenon. Young boys using supplements and experimenting with steroids. It's all in a new study out in the journal "pediatrics" and dan harris has the details on a reality check for american families. Reporter:IDHE VEOS ARE Burning up the internet -- teenage boys transforming their bodies, going from skinny to ripped. A graphic illusion of what today's study says is a surprisingly prevalent trend. The study's authors warning, "the use of muscle-enhancing behaviors is substantially higher than has been previously reported and is cause for concern." With 90% of boys in middle and high school saying they regularly exercised with the goal of increasing muscle mass and more than two-thirds saying they changed the way they ate. More worryingly, 38% said they haused protein supplements, which are unregulated and potentially dangerous and 6% said they tried steroids which can cause rage including taylor houten having been linked to suicide. His mom found him hanging on the bedroom door after committing suicide. Reporter: What's driving this? Experts say the ideal male body type has changed as typified by mike "the situation" sorin ten knee from mtv's "jersey shore" and creased male must cue late to children's action toys which researchers says has driven up rates of body dissatisfaction bhong boys and the girls are getting in on the bulking trend showing twice as many are using steroids than before. There's a lot in that piece. You see the first figure nine out of ten doing more strength training and I think that's a good thing. In the middle of a childhood obesity clinic. Thfks they should be encouraged to get fit but have to do it in a way that is safe. Thanks very much. Breaking news in that deadly and mysterious gas explosion in indianapolis that leveled two homes.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

Now Playing: Is it mandatory to stand for the US national anthem?

Now Playing: Groom rescues 'panicked' boy from water during wedding photo shoot

Now Playing: Mom of 4 shares exhausting reality of life as a working mother

Now Playing: Paul Ryan weighs in on national anthem controversy

Now Playing: Trump to travel to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

Now Playing: National anthem controversy continues with Steelers, Cowboys

{"id":17764253,"title":"Young Boys Exercising to Extremes","duration":"2:07","description":"A new study in the Journal Pediatrics shows an alarming number of boys using steroids.","url":"/WNT/video/young-boys-exercising-extremes-17764253","section":"WNT","mediaType":"default"}